Partition construction.



E. 1. ZAH'NER & S. W. SMITH.

PARTITION CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION r|LEn1uNE11.1915.

1,21 9,208. Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

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E. J. ZAHNER & S. W. SMITH.

PARTITION CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATTQN FILED JUNE 17. 1915.

1,21 9,208. Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

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PARTITION CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I?. |915.

Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led J une 17, 1915. Serial No. 34,614.

vTo all whom z't may concern Be it known that we, EDWARD J. ZAHNER and S. VEMYss SMITH, both citizens of the United States, residing at Canton, Stark county, Ohio, and Oklahoma city, Oklahoma county, Oklahoma, respectively, have jointly invented a new and useful Partition Construction, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to new and useful improvements in partition construction and has more especial reference to a portable partition composed of sheet metal.

The object of this invention is to provide a partition of the construction referred to which may be easily and readily assembled or knocked down. i

A further object is to provide a partition of this character which may be located in any desirable position within a building, there being no permanent connection between any portion of the building and the partition.

A further object is the provision of such a partition, the arrangement of which may be easily and rapidly changed.

A further object is -thev provision of a novel clamping device by which the uprights are held firmly in position.

With these objectsY in viewtheinvention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter described,

illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, size and minor details of construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or sacri- Iicing any of the advantages of the invention.

' In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a portion .of a partition constructed in accordance with our invention, parts being broken away for the purpose of illustration.

Fig. 2 is a section on an enlarged scale line 2 2, Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a section on an enlarged scale line 3 3, Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a section on an enlarged scale line 4 4, Fig. 1.'

Fig. 5 1s a section on an enlarged-scale on line 5 5, Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6 6, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a section through one of the uprights showing the'clamping means.

Eig. 8 is a fragmentary viewfshowing the manner of adding an upper tierof panels. Fig. 9 is a section on line 8 836Fig. 7. Fig. `l() is a horizontal sectional View through a modified form of upright.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the severall figures of the drawings. A

The partition, the construction of which is hereindisclosed, is portable and composed of a plurality` of panels, preferably formed of sheet metal provided with reproof lining, said panels being assembled within av suitable frame work composed of uprights and horizontal connecting members. This partition is especially adapted for use in large offices, factories and the like where it is often desirable to change the interior arrangement of a room such as the size or shape of the room or the arrangement of the doors therein. This change may be accomplished by the movingor rearranging of the partitions such as are herein described.

The frame work of the partition is built up of spaced uprights which are fiXedly mounted between the floor and ceiling or Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

a suitable horizontal beam, said uprights being connected at spaced intervals by horizontal members. The construction of the preferred form of the regular 'upright is best illustrated in Fig. 6. Each of said uprights designated by the numeral l in Fig. l,A is preferably formed of four identical angle irons 2. Each of the angle-irons 2.

comprises a comparatively wide flange 3, and a comparatively narrow flange 4. The free edge of each flange 3 is turned out as indicated at 5, and the free edge of each flange 4 is similarly out-turned as shown at 6, the reasons for this construction being hereinafter pointed out. The angle irons are arranged together` as shown in Fig. 6, the fianges 3 of each pair of angle irons be- -ing located Vin alinement, the out-turned edges 5 of the flanges being spaced a slight distance from each other. The connecting strips 7, are then slidably located in position firmly connecting each pair of angles together as shown in Fig. V6. From an inspection' of Fig. 6 it will be seen that each of the connecting strips 7, is formed of a single ranged to receive the out-turned edges 6 of the flanges 4, the' edges of' the sheet forming said connecting strip being bent outwardly away from said Ychannel portions and slightly concaved. Although the constraction of upright above described is the preferable formrit will be understood that the connecting strips 7 may, if desired, be eliminated and the upright formed of a pair of channel irons connected together by means of the connecting strips 8.

A cap 12 provided with spikes 13, is placed upon the top of each of the uprights, said can being provided with channels 14 within which the upper edges of the upright are arranged to be located. The

' lower edges ofthe upright areplaced within the grooves 16, formed in the clamping plate 17, said clamping plate being provided with an internally screw threaded aperture 18 through which is located the adjusting-screw 19, a head 20 being provided upon saidjscrew. The .lower extremity of the adjusting screw is preferably formed semispherical as indicated at 2l and is located within the concave socket formed in the floor plate 23, said floor plate being provided with suitable spikes 24 adapted to be embedded in the floor when the upright is erected. In erecting one of the uprights the parts are assembled as above described, the cap 12 being located adjacent the ceiling ora suitable horizontal beam provided for the occasion. The floor plate 23 is `lo cated at the properapoint upon the fioor and when the adjusting screw is rotated by a'pplying a wrench or other suitable instrument to the head 20, the spikes 24,wi11 be.

firmly embedded in thedloor and the plate 17 will be raised carrying the upright therewith and moving the cap'12 thereof into juxtaposition with the ceiling causing the yspikes 13 thereon to'be force-d into the oeiling, thus holding the upright firmly in position. The Vuprights are connected together Vat substantially a point half-way between the upper and lower extremities thereof by means of the horizontal members 25, said horizontal members each being of a length suitable to bridge the space between two adjacent uprights. Each of said horizontal members is composed of a pair of channel irons 2, the lateral edges of which are outstrips 10a similar to the strips 10, it being understood, however, that the Aconnecting strips 10a should be of the same length as i.

the horizontal members 25..

Where it 1s necessary to provide doors in the partition a special form of upright must necessarilyrbe used, said upright being best shown in cross section in Fig. 5, being made in the form of a door jamb, which is generally designated by the numeral 28. Each of these door jambs is composed-of two equivalentv angle irons-29, a hanging member 30 which is shaped as shown in F ig. gJ5 to receive the hinges of a door, andprovided with a stop portion 31, all of said members being constructed as will be hereinafter described. Each of the angle irons-29 is composed of substantially equal lflanges 32 and 33, the flanges 32 being pro-vided along their free edges with the out-turned portions 34 and the flanges being provided along their free edges with the out-turned portions 35. The hanging member is provided along its free edges withthe out-turned edges 36 similar to the flanges 34 and said angle irons are connected to said hanging member by means of connecting strips 7 of the usual form. A connecting strip is used to connect the edges of the two angle\irons 29 together along the out-turned flanges 35.

, Hinges 37 are attached to the door jamb in the usual manner, saidv hinges carrying a 'door 38 of any suitable construction. A cap 12a of suitable dimensions to accommodate the door post but otherwise similar in construction to the cap 12 is placed upon the top of the door post, the bottom ef the door post resti-ng upon a clamping plate 17a which is adjusted by means of an adjusting screw 19, the lower extremity of which rests upon a floor plate 23a.

A base board is provided along the lower edge of the framework of the partition, said base board being arranged to cover the clamping device upon the different uprignts. Each base board member comprising a strip 39, the lower edge of which is adapted to be mounted within a channel 40 provided in a suitable molding 41, 4said molding being provided with an ifi-turned horizontally disposed flange 42 by means of which it may be connected to the -fiooxx At the upper extremity of each of the strips 39 is located an in-turned horizontally disposed fiange 43 having an 11p-turned verticalflange 44 located around the inner edge thereof. The base boards are connected together by means of connecting strips 10. of a suitable length, said connecting strips being applied to the up-turned flanges 44 in the manner hereinframe are composed of angle irons 45, each of said angle irons comprising the. vertically disposed flange 46, the upper edge of which is arranged to contact with the ceiling, and the inwardly disposed horizontal flange 47, the inner edge of which is bent downwardly and at right angles forming a connecting flange 48. c of suitable length is provided for prop- 10 erly spacing and connecting the angle irons 45 forming a suitable upper horizontal member for the frame.

For the purpose of retaining the panels 49 within the frame work 'ofthe partition retaining strips 50 and 51 formed in suitable lengths are connected to the framework by means of the connecting strips 10, 10, 10b and 10c as will be hereinafter described. As the connection of these retaining strips to each of the connecting strips is the same in each case it is only thought necessary to describethe manner of connecting the retaining strips to the horizontal uprights 1 by means of the connecting strips 10. The retaining strip 50 is placed in position as shown in Fig. 6, the rib 52 upon said retaining strip 50 being sprung beneath the out'- turned concaved iange 53 provided upon the connecting strip 10, the flat portion 54 of said retaining strip 50 lying against the flange 4 of the upright. The strip 5() is provided with the in-turned portion 55, the angular flange 56 being formed upon said in- ".,turned portion, said flange provided with an annular groove 57 adapted to be seated upon the rib 58 of the connecting strip 10.` After the retaining strips 50 have thus been placed in position, th e panel 49 which is preferably made up of spaced metal sheets 59 provided with a filling 60 of asbestos or similar mate# rial is then placed in position against the portions 58 of the retaining strips 50, the outer edges of said panel abutting the angular flanges 56. Each retaining strip 51 is 475 then sprung into place, the ribsv 61 thereof being located beneath the out-turned concaved y flange 62 upon the connecting strip 10, the inturned flange 63 of the retaining strip y51 bearing, against the panel 49 retaining said panl within the framework of the partition.

If desired, the -upper panels in each partition may be formed of glass as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In Figs. 8 and 9 is shown a construction by means of which an addition may be placed upon the top of a partition such as shown in Fig. 1. In this instance a plate 238L similar to the floor plate, with the eX- ception that it is provided with channels 24a arranged to receive theupper edge of an upright 1,l is placed upon the top of the upright. The plate 232%-,is provided with flanges 24b against whichl are abutted the relatively wide anges 64 of a pair ofl angle 55 irons. The usual adjusting screw 19 is sup- A connecting strip ported within the socket 22, a clamping plate 17 ofthe ordinary construction being carried by said adjusting screw., An upright .1a of the necessary length is carried upon the plate 17. A suitable `cornice 65 is located upon each side of the uprights, said cornice being supported upon the narrow flanges 66 of the angle irons. The remainder of the construction will-be the same as has been hereinbefore described.

In Fig. 10 is shown a modification of upright which is made interchangeable and may be used either as a door jamb or as the ordinary upright. 'In this construction the upright is formed of a pair of channel members 67, each -f provided with out-turned flanges 68 at its edges, said .members being connected by means of the usual connecting strips 7. Each of the channel members is provided with a shoulder 69 which may be utilized as a stop for the door in the event that the upright is used as a door post. If it is desired to mount the panels 49 upon this upright it is only necessary to place the panels in the proper position abutting the shoulders 69 kand to attach retaining strips j 70 in the position shown in Fig. 10, by means of screws or their equivalents7 1, thus simi- .larlyholding the panels in place.

We claim: 1. An upright for a knock-down partition comprising a hollow upright member', a cap located upon the upper extremity of said hollow upright member and provided with grooves adapted to receive the edges thereof, spikes formed upon the upper face of said cap and adapted to be embedded in a ceiling, a clamping plate located at the lowerdextremity of said hollow upright member and provided with grooves within which said upright member is seated, said clamping plate provided with an internally screw threaded aperture, an adjusting screw located through said aperture, a head provided upon said adjusting screw intermedi ate thelends thereof, and a floor plate provided with a socket adapted to receive the lower extremity of said adjusting screw.

2. An upright for a knock-down partition, comprising a hollow upright member, a cap located upon theI upper extremity of said hollow upright member and provided withv grooves adapted toZ receive the edges thereof, spikes formed upon the upper face of said cap and adapted lto be embedded in a ceil- 120 ing, a clamping plate located at the lower extremity of said hollow upright member and provided with grooves within which said upright member is seated, said clamping plate provided with an internally screw threaded aperture, anl adjusting screw lo' cated through said aperture, a headl provided upon said adjusting screw intermediate the ends thereof, the lower extremities of said adjusting screw being rounded and a floor plate provided with sockety arranged to receive the rounded ext said adjusting screw.

3. An upright for a knock-down partition, comprising a hollow upright member, a cap located upon the upper extremity of said hollow upright'membei` and provided with grooves adapted to receive the edges thereof, spikes formed upon the upper face 0fV said cap and adapted to be embedded in a ceiling, a clampingplate located at the lower extremity of said hollow upright member and provided with grooves within which said upright member is seated, said clamping plate provided with an internally screw threaded aperture, an adjusting screw located through said aperture, a head provided upon said adjusting screw intermediate the ends thereof, the lower extremities of said adjusting screw being rounded, a floor plate provided with a socket arranged to receive the rounded extremity of said adjusting screw, and downwardly disposed prongs provided upon said ioor plate and adapted to engage a floor.

4. A knock-down partition, comprising hollow uprights, caps carried upon the upper extremities of said'uprights, spikes provided upon the upper faces of said caps andadapted to be embedded in a ceiling, a clamping plate provided'with grooves which receive the lower extremities of said hollow uprights, said clamping plates being provided with internally scre'e,7 threaded apertures, an adjusting screw located through Y each of said apertures, a head provided upon remity of panels and adapted to cover said adjusting.

screws.

5. In a partition of the character described, a clamping device comprising a clamping plate provided with an internally screw threaded aperture, an adjusting screw located through said internally screw threaded aperture, a head provided upon said adjusting screw intermediate the ends thereof, the lower extremity of said adjusting screw being rounded and a floor plate provided with a socket arranged to receive the rounded extremity of said adjusting screw.

6. In a partition of the character described, a clamping device comprising a clamping piate provided with an internally screa7 threaded aperture, an adjusting screw located through said internally screw threaded aperture, the lower extremity of said adjusting screw being rounded, a Hoor plate provided with a socket arranged toreceive the rounded extremity of said adjusting screw and downwardly disposed prongs provided upon said floor plate.

In testimony that we claim the above, We have hereunto subscribedv our naines.

EDWARD J. ZAHNER. S. WEMYSS SMITH. 

